Frederic Guesdon’s involvement in the Paris-Roubaix 2012 doubtful after the crash
Frederic Guesdon of Team FDJ-BigMat announced his retirement after the Paris-Roubaix 2012. However, the cyclist might need to alter his plans after he faced a disastrous crash during the opening stage of the Santos Tour Down Under.
The opening stage of the Adelaide race featured a downhill sprint and as a result more than 20 riders were brought to the ground.
Jurgen Roelandts of Team FDJ also suffered from the crash and both the cyclists were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.
The 40-year-old was treated with a broken hip and his plans for the Paris-Roubaix are now in doubt.
Stage one winner, Andre Greipel, claimed that the downhill sprint to finish the race was a bad idea and the main reason behind the crash.
Sports Director, Yvon Madiot visited the cyclist at the Royal Hospital in Adelaide, Australia. He briefed, “The doctors seemed optimistic about his quick recovery but it's difficult to envisage that he'd be on the start line of Paris-Roubaix in less than three months from now".
He also expressed, "Fred said that it wasn't a heavy fall, he believes that he has landed on somebody else's bike because that's the only way he can have broken a bone. As soon as he tried to move the left leg, he understood that it was broken”.
Guesdon started his professional career in 1995 with the French team, Le Groupement, and switched to Team Polti in 1996.
His performance with the Italian team was commendable, claiming the 11th place finish at the Paris-Roubaix 1996 and also occupying the third place at the French championships.
He accepted an offer from Team Francaise des Jeux in 1997 and helped the team with an overall victory at the Paris-Roubaix 1997.
He also succeeded at the Classic Haribo, along with a stage 2 win at the Tour de Limousin.
The French participated in a total number of 9 Grand Tours, with seven Tour de France, one Giro d’ Italia and one Vuelta a Espana appearance to his credit. He won the Paris-Roubaix again in 2006.
Frederic’s contract with the team is finishing by the end of April 2012 and it is believed that the cyclist will take on the Directeur Sportif role in the team.
He is considered extremely trustworthy and one of a most reliable members in the squad. He will be the first option in case the team requires a second Sports Director.
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